Treaty between Saudi Arabia and Luxembourg approved by Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia approved the double taxation agreement with Luxembourg on 31 March
See MoreSlovenia- VAT rise from 22% to 24%
Slovenia has increased the standard VAT rate from 22% to 24% with effect from 1 May 2014 until 31 December 2014. This is intended to contribute to dealing with the 14.7% budget deficit to GDP that has arisen due to a bailout of banks in 2013.
See MoreNew Zealand and EU consider Free Trade Agreement
New Zealand and the European Union are considering possibilities for updating their trade and economic relations. As part of this process they are looking at the possibility of concluding a free trade agreement. The leaders of the EU met with New
See MoreLuxembourg supports revised Savings Tax Directive
The EU has adopted the revised Savings Tax Directive, strengthening the efforts to combat cross-border tax evasion by exchanging information on savings income. The revised text extends the scope of the Directive more entities and types of income
See MoreItaly: Italian 2012 Tax Returns Suggest Compliance Gap
Italian statistics in respect of tax returns suggest that Italians on average declared income of around EUR19,750 (USD27,200) in the 2012 fiscal year. Although the government has been encouraging more tax compliance, the number of taxpayers sending
See MoreIreland: IBEC calls for Tax Cuts to Support recovery
Ireland’s business and employers’ confederation IBEC has requested a reduction in the marginal individual income tax rate to bring it below 50 percent and has suggested that the income level at which the top rate of tax begins should also be
See MoreFrance – Study Backs Real Estate Tax Review
The French housing association CGL has pointed out that there are large differences between rates of residence tax in different parts of France. The residence tax is due from the owners or tenants of residential property on the basis of the notional
See MoreFrance – President offers Token Tax Cut for Households
The French is to announce some tax cuts for families in France, according to reports, but the amount of the tax cuts has not been decided and may depend on further reductions in government expenditure. The President also plans to lower labor costs
See MoreFrance- Court Rules in Research Tax Credit Case
In France a tax credit known as the Crédit Impôt Recherche (CIR) is available for certain research and development expenditure by businesses. A recent case (No. 1219816) involved an appeal from a business advisory firm, in respect of the partial
See MoreFrance Reintroduces Rules for Creative Tax Credit
The creative tax credit is given to innovative enterprises in the area of arts and crafts. A company in this sector may obtain a 10% tax credit for expenditure on new products, including the cost of wages, design and protection of new models. The
See MoreFinland decides against VAT increase as taxes rise
On 25 March 2014 Finland is to put through some tax rises and benefits cuts in an attempt to lower the budget deficit. Other Scandinavian countries have VAT rates as high as 25%, and Finland has for some time been considering an increase in VAT.
See MoreGermany: Finance Minister Indicates Tax Cuts Will Come
The German Finance Minister has suggested that tax cuts could be made in the next few years. Various commentators have pointed out that the personal income tax thresholds have not increased in line with inflation, leading to the phenomenon of
See MoreEU Approves UK Video Game Tax Break
The European Commission has approved the new UK tax relief for video game as being in line with EU state aid rules. The videos games tax relief is designed to give an incentive to developers of video game developers to design products that meet
See MoreUS – New York suspends driving licenses of tax evaders
Last year New York passed legislation providing for the suspension of the driving license of any individual owing a sum greater than ten thousand dollars in back tax. This has apparently been a successful policy as thousands of individuals have
See MoreUnited Kingdom and Germany sign DTA Protocol
A protocol has been signed to the double tax agreement between the UK and Germany. This protocol which was signed on 17 March 2014 includes in the agreement the latest version of Article 7 (business profits) of the OECD Model. The taxation rights in
See MoreUnited Kingdom – Belgium sign Protocol
The UK and Belgium have added a second Protocol to their double taxation agreement (DTA). The original protocol amended the article on exchange of information to conform to the latest OECD standard. The second protocol which was signed on 13 March
See MoreUK – VAT registration threshold will rise
The registration threshold for VAT in the UK is to increase to GBP 81.000 from April 2014. An enterprise or sole trader must register for VAT when sales reach this annual level. Following registration a trader must charge VAT on sales and pay this
See MoreUK – Budget Supports Businesses to Deliver Growth
The UK budget announcements include measures in support of business. The research and development tax credit available to small businesses is to be increased from 11 percent to 14 percent. The Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme that gives tax relief
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